Diaper washer



Nov. 21, 1961 c. J. FALCONER DIAPER WASHER Filed Dec. 31, 1959 FIG! I'll

IN VENTOR. CL AUDE J. FALCONER FIG.5

ECKHOFF 8: SLICK United States Patent 3,009,344 DIAPER WASHER Claude J. Falconer, 723 S. Spring St., Ukiah, Calif. Filed Dec. 31, 1959, Ser. No. 863,211 3 Claims. (Cl. 68-481) This invention relates to a diaper washing device and more particularly to a diaper washing device which is portable and convenient for home use.

It is an object of this invention to provide a portable diaper washing device for home use which is adapted for temporary mounting on the upper rim of a bathroom toilet bowl.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a diaper washer for home use which can be so used with a conventional toilet bowl as to substantially eliminate the possibility of effluent from the washer being spilled on the bathroom floor.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a diaper washer for home use which provides ready access to the interior thereof without the necessity of removing the device from the toilet bowl rim upon which it is intended to be mounted.

Other objects and advantages. of this invention, if not specifically set forth, will become apparent in the course of the description which follows.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the complete device of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the structure with its cover removed;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation, partially in section, showing the top in a closed position;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the underside of the jet hub used to provide the needed water jet pattern; and

FIGURE 5 is a sectional side elevation of the element of FIGURE 4 showing the method of mounting.

Generally, this invention comprises a diaper washer having as essential parts thereof a substantially cylindrical bowl having a base and sides substantially perpendicular thereto, said bowl preferably having at least a single hole in the bottom thereof of sufficient size to permit the drainage of small quantities of water therefrom. Also included is a preferably transparent top hinged at one side of the bowl. The bowl is provided with a spi'llway at one point along the circumference thereof permitting egress of fluid and waste matter there- 'from when the bowl is only partially filled with fluid. Along one edge of the bowl and adjacent thereto is an arc-shaped inclining ramp extending from a point adjacent the lowermost edge cf the outlet and extending downwardly toward the base of the bowl. Finally, water inlet means, preferably incorporating about five individual jets each carefully positioned as will be seen hereinafter, are provided.

Referring now to the drawings where like characters refer to like parts throughout, there is seen a bowl, generally 10, which is provided with a generally flat base portion 12 having a plurality of holes 14 therein. The holes serve as means for draining residual water from the device following use. The base member has extending upwardly therefrom generally perpendicular sides 16 topped by a lip 17. A fluid outlet is formed by extending one portion of the wall 16 a distance less than the entire height of the bowl thus to allow fluid to pass out of the structure before it is entirely filled. A conduit 18 provides means for directing the exiting fluid downwardly into a toilet bowl. Within the bowl and positioned adjacent one side thereof is an arc-shaped inclined ramp 20 which extends from the lower lip of the outlet to the level of the base 12, thus to provide means for facilitating the conveyance of solids swirling within the device from the base level to the waste conduit 18. Preferably the ram-p 20 is provided with a small flange 21 extending along the inside thereof which tends to prevent any solid material on the ramp from dropping off into the bowl. The device is provided with a top 22 hingedly supported by pins 24 journaled in bearings 26 in the walls of the conduit 18.

The device must be provided with means for spraying water t-hereinto under sufiicient pressure to achieve the cleaning or rinsing action and this is done by placing the spray jet hub 28 in the top and to one side thereof, as shown. Pin 29 passes through a hole in the top and into the hub, thus to insure proper orientation thereof. Hub 28 is provided with a series of orifices 30.

The arrangement of the jet-producing orifices and number thereof is fairly critical. Each of the jets of water issuing from an orifice is at an angle of 45 from the horizontal and most (preferably all) of the jets serve to contribute to the rotation of the contents of the bowl. In the preferred embodiment, the conduits terminating in orifices 30 are positioned at an angle of 27.5 from one another. The hub is so positioned by use of pin 29 that the first jet, that nearest the center of the bowl, is aimed at a point 5 from the center of the bowl in the direction of rotation. orbital circulation of the contents of the bowl, this jet counters roping or twisting of [fabrics within the bowl. The next two jets are rotative or propulsive and also aid in the cleaning action by impinging directly on the surface of the fabric and creating turbulence. Jets 4 and 5 also contribute to the rotation of the contents, create turbulence and clean by direct, forceful contact with the fabric. Further, these last two jets accelerate the fabric past the spillway, thus aiding in preventing the overflow of the fabrics out through the spillway. They pull the fabric forward and force it downwardly at the same time. The downward thrust of these two jets tends to cause the fabrics to turn or twist upon themselves, thereby causing new surfaces to be exposed. Thus, the positions of all the jets embody a compromise between the need for propulsion (obtained by orienting the jets horizontally) and the need for turbulence (obtained by directing the jets vertically).

The hub 28 is mounted in the top by means of the male element 32 which also serves as a bushing for conduit 34. Suitable O-ring 3'6 and nylon gasket 38 prevent leakage at this point.

Other configurations for the jet spray nozzles have been found to be substantially less satisfactory than that described above. When jets are evenly placed along the rim-of the bowl, the desired orbiting of the fabric within is obtained but the cleaning action is less satisfactory than that secured where a plurality of jets impinge upon the fabric simultaneously in the same general area. Further, placement of the jets along the periphery of the bowl is far less convenient structurally. The use of five jets abreast rather than five jets in single file results in a substantial increase in propulsive effect coupled with an increase in turbulence, for cleaning effectiveness. The particular placement of the hub adjacent the spillway produces a venturi effect beyond the spillway, thus to pull fabrics away from the outlet while permitting the escape of water and solids.

It is seen that to obtain the desired orbital effect, it is necessary to provide a bowl of the proper shape together with water in suflicient quantity to provide overflow forces and under sufiicient pressure to insure substantial centrifugal force, thus to maintain the solids near the exterior of the bowl, eventually to be captured by the ramp structure and led out through the spillway.

In operation, water flows under pressure through conduit 34 and is forcibly ejected through orifices 30' to ini- In addition to contributing to the I tiate swirling and orbiting. Effluent is discharged through the spillway and conduit 18 until such time as it can be seen, through the transparent top, that the diaper (or other material or article amenable to a preliminary-type soapless washing or rinsing) may be removed. The sup ply of water is then cut off and the residual water drains from the bowl through holes 14.

It will be seen that this invention enables the washing of one diaper after another without removing the washing device from its position on the toilet rim, the hinged top affording easy access to the interior of the device as soon as the tlow of water has been stopped. Because of its construction and operation, there is a minimum of opportunity for water to be splashed on the bathroom floor.

The device has been described as particularly suited for washing diapers in a preliminary fashion but it may be utilized in other fashions also. For example, it may be used for the actual laundering of lingerie, stockings, socks, light sweaters, dish towels, etc. For example, with about /2 teaspoon of detergent or soap powder the device operates in such a fashion as to perform small washing tasks otherwise done by hand. The sudsing is produced through the turbulent action of the water jets and provides an automatic rinsing cycle even to flushing the toilet by gravity should the toilet bowl be filled sufficiently through prolonged use. The turbulence, dilution, direct jet impact and frequency of washing cycles assure satisfactory results.

Obviously, many modifications and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention, and therefore only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A diaper washing device comprising a substantially circular bowl having a bottom and upright sides; a removable top therefor fitting over the mouth of said bowl; an outlet at one point along the circumference of said bowl and spaced from the bottom thereof permitting the passage of fluid therethrough when said bowl is partially filled with fluid; an arc shaped inclined ramp adjacent a side of said bowl extending from a. point adjacent the lowermost edge of said outlet downwardly toward the bottom of said bowl; and an inlet for water terminating in an orifice positioned within said bowl, said orifice being directed generally downwardly and to the side of said bowl opposite said ramp whereby water issuing there from is caused to describe a circular path on entering (.1. said bowl in a direction toward the lowermost end of said inclined ramp.

2. A diaper washing device comprising a substantially circular bowl having a bottom and upright sides, said bowl having at least a single hole in the bottom thereof of sufficient size to permit the draining of water therefrom; a top therefor fitting over the mouth of said bowl and hinged at one point therealong; an outlet at one point along the circumference of said bowl and spaced from the bottom thereof permitting the passage of fluid thercthrough when said bowl is partially filled with fluid; an arc-shaped inclining ramp adjacent a side of said bowl extending from a point adjacent the lowermost edge of said outlet downwardly toward the base of said bowl; and an inlet for water terminating at the under side of said cover in a spray nozzle, said nozzle having a plurality of orifices so directed that when the cover is closed and water supplied to said nozzle, said water is sprayed downwardly and forwardly and caused to orbit in a direction toward the lowermost end of said inclined ramp.

3. A diaper washing device comprising a substantially circular bowl having a bottom and upright sides, said bowl having at least a single hole in the bottom thereoi of sufficient size to permit the draining of water therefrom; a transparent top therefor fitting over the mouth of said bowl and hinged at one point therealong; an outlet at one point along the circumference of said bowl and spaced from the bottom thereof permitting the passage of fluid therethrough when said bowl is partially filled with fluid; an arc-shaped inclined ramp adjacent a side of said bowl extending from a point adjacent the lowermost edge of said outlet downwardly toward the base of said bowl; and an inlet for water terminating at the under side of said cover in a nozzle having a plurality of diverging orifices, most of said orifices being directed generally downwardly and to the side of said bowl opposite said ramp.

References tCited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 97,682 Nougaret Dec. 7, 1869 153,410 \Vhitnum July 21, 1874 1,054,990 Schwoerer Mar. 4, 1913 2,288,101 Mayer June 30, 1942 2,647,014 Edwards July 28, 1953 2,697,341 Thomas Dec. 21, 1954 2,746,792 Hough May 22, 1956 

